Camping La Brise

You can't possibly come here and not see something of the Camargue Regional Natural Park, wending your way through the wetlands in search of wildlife. If you don't happen upon the flamingos the area's famed for, wing it over to the Pont de Gau bird park (five minutes’ drive), where sightings are a sure thing. If you're more intrigued by what might be swimming beneath the surface, seek out Seaquarium (35 minutes) to see seals, sharks and other sea dwellers. On your return, aim to have a stop in Aigues-Mortes to wander around the old city walls (huge) and model railway museum (tiny). Such scenic surrounds inevitably draw arty types to the area, and so it was that Vincent Van Gogh arrived in Arles (40 minutes), a place he found most productive for painting. Head over there these days and you can see the Yellow House where he lived and view some of his works at the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles. A huge amphitheatre and other Roman sites to roam around are also in town.